An ankle-foot orthosis is an orthopedic device used for fixation, stabilization, support, and correct positioning of the foot and ankle joint.
An ankle-foot orthosis may be used after ankle injuries, fractures, sprains and ligament damage, following surgery, for ankle instability, pain during walking, muscle weakness, gait disorders, neurological conditions, and foot drop.
An ankle and foot orthosis helps keep the leg in a more correct position, reduce joint load, improve stability during walking, and make movement safer.
At our center, an ankle-foot orthosis can be obtained free of charge under the state rehabilitation program. We assist with orthopedic consultations, device selection, and paperwork.
This device is commonly referred to by various names:
Indications
An ankle and foot orthosis may be prescribed:
Injuries and surgery
Pain and instability
Neurology and leg function
Rehabilitation
An orthosis helps maintain the foot and ankle in the correct position, reduce load on the affected area, and improve movement safety.
How it works
The primary purpose of an orthosis is to provide support to the ankle joint and foot when fixation, stabilization, offloading, or position control is required.
An ankle-foot orthosis helps to:
stabilize the ankle joint
support the foot
reduce pain during walking
reduce joint load
restrict unwanted movement
improve stability
maintain correct leg alignment
reduce the risk of re-injury
facilitate movement
make each step safer
Types of orthoses
Ankle-foot orthoses differ in design, degree of fixation, and purpose. The choice of design depends on the diagnosis, joint condition, foot position, pain level, degree of instability, gait pattern, rehabilitation stage, and required movement control.
Our center provides:
Non-articulated orthosis
Rigid position fixation
Articulated orthosis
Controlled movement
Comparison
🦶 Non-articulated orthosis
Fixes the foot and ankle in the required position. Helps stabilize the joint, restrict excessive movement, and provide firmer support.
⚙️ Articulated orthosis
Features special elements that allow controlled movement to be preserved in the joint. Used when ankle support is needed without fully blocking foot movement.
The choice between a non-articulated and an articulated orthosis depends on the diagnosis, joint condition, foot position, degree of instability, gait pattern, recovery stage, and physician recommendations.
Special case
Foot drop is a condition in which a person has difficulty lifting the front part of the foot while walking. This increases the risk of tripping, disrupts gait, and places additional load on other parts of the leg.
An orthosis for foot drop helps hold the foot in a more correct position, eases each step, and makes movement safer. Such a device may be recommended for neurological conditions, muscle weakness, and the aftereffects of injuries, surgery, or diseases that affect foot function.
In such cases, a foot orthosis is selected individually to provide the necessary support, allow permissible activity, and help the patient move with greater confidence.
Classification
Ankle-foot orthoses can provide different levels of fixation.
Correct choice
An ankle and foot orthosis must be selected individually. The diagnosis, joint condition, foot position, pain level, gait pattern, and intended purpose of the device must all be taken into account.
Factors considered during selection:
diagnosis;
cause of pain or instability;
condition of the ankle joint;
foot position;
history of injury or surgery;
degree of ligament damage;
presence of foot drop;
muscle condition;
gait pattern;
patient body weight;
level of physical activity;
rehabilitation stage;
need to restrict or control movement;
physician recommendations;
⚠️ An incorrectly selected ankle brace, foot brace, or orthosis may:
Free of charge
At our center you can receive a free orthopedic consultation.
During the consultation the specialist will:
Important
After injuries, surgery, ligament damage, joint diseases, or neurological disorders, the ankle and foot often require additional support.
During walking, the foot and ankle are under constant load. If the joint is unstable, the foot is in an incorrect position, or the muscles cannot provide sufficient support, pain, discomfort, and gait disturbances may persist longer.
An ankle-foot orthosis helps to:
Cost
The cost of an orthosis depends on the type of device, fixation level, materials, fabrication complexity, and individual patient characteristics.
Approximate cost of ankle-foot orthoses
Free of charge
Our center provides the opportunity to receive an ankle-foot orthosis free of charge under the state rehabilitation device program.
FAQ
Answers to common questions
An ankle brace typically provides compression and light support. An orthosis offers more pronounced fixation, can restrict certain movements, and holds the joint or foot in the correct position. In everyday speech these terms are often used interchangeably. People may search for an ankle orthosis, ankle brace, ankle support, or foot brace, all meaning a device for support and stabilization.
An ankle and foot orthosis may be needed after injuries, sprains, ligament damage, fractures, or surgery, and for ankle instability, pain during walking, foot drop, gait disorders, and muscle weakness.
A non-articulated orthosis fixes the foot and ankle in a set position. An articulated orthosis allows controlled movement while still supporting the joint. This type may be used for gait disorders, after injuries or surgery, and for neurological conditions.
Yes. For foot drop, an orthosis helps hold the foot in a more correct position, eases each step, and reduces the risk of tripping. Such devices are commonly used for neurological conditions and muscle weakness.
Yes, many ankle-foot orthoses are designed for walking and daily activities. Whether weight-bearing is permitted depends on the diagnosis, device design, and specialist recommendations.
Yes. After surgery, an orthosis can be used to protect tissues, stabilize the joint, restrict movement, and support the gradual restoration of foot and ankle function.
The wearing period depends on the diagnosis, injury, surgery, pain level, gait disorder, and rehabilitation stage. Some patients need the orthosis only during physical activity; others require it throughout the entire recovery period.
A correctly fitted orthosis stabilizes the ankle and foot, does not cause skin irritation, does not cause numbness, does not restrict circulation, does not interfere with permitted activity, and helps make walking more stable.
Yes. With the required medical indications and documentation, an ankle-foot orthosis can be obtained free of charge under the state rehabilitation device program.
